Richard Dumas: He was very talented and averaged 16 PPG in 27 MPG for the Suns his first year. When the Bulls had a 3-1 lead in the 93' Finals and it looked like the Bulls would wrap it up in 5 at home, Dumas had a huge game 5 and it went back to Phoenix for game 6. The Suns really choked away that game 6. They had a 4 point lead with about 40 seconds to go with the ball. Missed open jumper, Jordan takes it down full court for a layup to cut it to 2. Majerle shoots a wide open AIRBALL on the next trip, then Paxson hits the 3 to put Chicago ahead.

Then Dumas's personal demons took over.


Some lesser examples:

Christian Laettner was putting up 18 and 9 a game and made an all-star game. Then after an Achilles injury, I think he only averaged double digit scoring once again for the rest of his career.

Joe Smith was the #1 overall pick in 1995 and actually put up a solid rookie year, finishing 2nd in ROTY voting to Damon Stoudamire. The next year, he put up 19 and 8 a game. Then after that, it seemed like he was traded to a new team every year or two. His numbers didn't take gigantic drops but they were definitely down and he became a "bust".